Description
Mark 1:4-11
The preacher from the wilderness, John the Baptist, baptized many with water proclaiming that the Messiah would come baptizing with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus approached John to baptize Him in the Jordan River, John immersed Him in water and witnessed the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. A voice from heaven declared that Jesus was the Son of God. While baptism washes us, it’s the Holy Spirit who transforms us.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome! Today, may you experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus, the one who was baptized in the Jordan River and proclaimed as God’s beloved Son. May you experience the power of the Holy Spirit who baptizes us.
Worshipers
We are here to meet with one another in the unity of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May we bring the Lord glory and honor with our songs and prayers.
Time of Praise and Worship
O Worship The King
Chris Tomlin, Johann Michael Haydn, & Robert Grant, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
This is Amazing Grace
Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, & Phil Wickham, ©2012 Bethel Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Warner Chappell Music (Admin. by Unaffiliated Admin (UA))
Open Up the Heavens
Andi Rozier, James McDonald, Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, & Stuart Garrard, ©2012 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Stugio Music Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment
EH 70; LSB 511
Prepare the Royal Highway
ELW 264; LBW 26; LSB 343; LW 27
All Who Believe and Are Baptized
EH 298; ELW 442; LBW194; LSB 601; LW 225
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
As we reflect on the Lord’s baptism and the presence of the Holy Spirit on Jesus, we humbly ask the Holy Spirit for the same anointing in our lives.
Worshipers
Pour out your Spirit upon us. Fill us with divine wisdom, understanding, and boldness to live our faith out loud.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious God, we petition Your presence and power as we set our minds on You. May your Spirit guide us in all truth and empower us to be witnesses of Your love and grace.
Worshipers
In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
We spend every waking hour doing something. We work, play, eat, sleep, and so forth. How much time do we spend with the Lord? How much time do we strive to get to know our Savior better? There’s an aching in our souls to be with the Lord, but we often push those feelings aside and fill them with unnecessary things. Let us confess to the Lord our sins. Hear us, o God.
Worshipers
Hear us, o God. Turn Your ear to our cries. We are sorry. We confess that we don’t always give you the honor and glory You deserve. We have allowed other things to take priority in our lives. We have neglected You, our Savior and Creator. Forgive us, we ask.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us our shortcomings and restore us to a right relationship with You. According to Your unfailing love, wash away our transgressions and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Worshipers
Thank You for your merciful forgiveness and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 1:1-5
The very first book of the Bible features Creator God who spoke and there was light. He is the Alpha- the Beginning and also the Omega- the End. Praise the Lord!
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
